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It was in December 2022 when Céline Dion disclosed to fans that she had been diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called stiff-person syndrome, which caused severe muscle spasms and often left her nearly paralyzed. She said she would be postponing her Courage World Tour due to the condition, but five months later, she ended up having to cancel it entirely to focus on her health.
The world was shocked to learn of Dion’s health struggles, but in her new cover story for Harper’s Bazaar, the singer revealed that she actually began experiencing symptoms of her condition 17 years before she was diagnosed.
Robin Galiegue
Before doctors discovered her illness, Dion said she would cancel a show citing things like a common cold when, in reality, she was experiencing much more complicated and debilitating challenges. In the 2024 documentary I Am: Céline Dion, she lets viewers into that pain: the strain in her voice, the SPS episode that left her paralyzed and terrified, the handfuls of pain killers and antidepressants she had to take to get through the day, and much more. There are no FDA-approved treatments for her condition, so in 2024 her foundation, Fondation Céline Dion, donated $2 million for research into autoimmune neurological disorders.
The pop diva has been absent from the spotlight since then, but only because she’s been regaining her strength, taking control over her body again, and gearing up for her return to the stage. The “My Heart Will Go On” singer is embarking on a five-week residency in Paris starting in September, and then a three-week residency in May 2027. And she cannot wait.
In preparation for the Paris shows, Dion does 90-minute Pilates sessions three times a week, and ballet classes on others. She is proud of herself. For her, not performing is not an option.
“They paid for tickets. They bought my records. They gave me that luxury. So the least I can do is tell them that I’m alive,” Dion told Bazaar of her fans. “It’s been so long, I would like to offer them something to show how I’ve missed them.”